Adelaide to Darwin to Adelaide:
14 day outback road trip

An urban vibe, yet retaining a community spirit Adelaide is a reminder, for New Zealanders of towns such as Timaru or Dunedin where locals still outnumber visitors and people recognise their neighbours.  Adelaide is the connection between the contemporary, multicultural city life of modern Australia and the outback. Plan a few extra days in Adelaide, exploring the city or perhaps a weekend visit to the Barossa Valley vineyards.For your Adelaide guide and Adelaide day trips check out our articles.

Let’s get going…

Outback here you come. It is 547km from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy. Your view is of horizon to horizon with shimmer and shine salt pans. Sunglasses are obligatory.

Serbian orthodox church, Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is an exploration of an opal mining town where the blistering heat has evolved into an underground lifestyle.

Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre:

• Big winch lookout
• Boot hill graveyard
• Kanku Breakaways. Conservation Park (permit required, purchase from Visitor Information Centre) is a must do for visitors fascinated by a fence. The longest fence in the world at 5,300km in length. The fence is a 2 m wire barrier to protect sheep from the dingo.
• Guided tour managed by Visitor Centre of the opal mines. Coober Pedy is a minefield of abandoned shafts, estimated over 1,500,00 unfenced drill holes.
• Underground churches, Serbian Orthodox church 1992, St Peter and Paul Catholic Church 1967, The Catacomb Church 1970’s.
• Catch the opal mining fever and try your hand at noodling. The visitor centre can direct you to areas open to the public which are not pegged claims. You are not permitted to use a pick, shovel or digging equipment.

Overnight Coober Pedy.

A long day with several rest stops and limitless desert as your touring landscape. Your treat is a sunset over Uluru while you relax from the day’s long road trip.

Uluru early morning

Uluru visitor information centre:

• Dawn starts with a commune with the rising sun over the Red Centre
• Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), is a group of ancient rock forms about 30km from Uluru. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major rock forms towering over the landscape. Kata Tjuta has several walking trails. Valley of the Winds Trail is a challenging walk, Karu lookout is 2.2km return, loose rocks mean sturdy boots. Drinking water is available at the start of the walk. Karingana lookout (5.4km return) takes you into the valley and creek beds. It is a steep walk with loose rocks. There are many uneven steps. Consider Walpa Gorge Walk (2.6km) is a relatively flat walk. Dune Viewing Platform, no walking required. It is requested that photographs are not posted onto social media due to the cultural significance of the site.
• Base walk around Uluru, can be self-guided or guided. There are numerous options to the length of the walk or cycle tour.
• Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre is a must do visit to collect brochures, perhaps join a guided tour, book a scenic flight or maps of the area.
• Field of Light installation, night time display of lights on the landscape
• Ranger guided tours and scenic flights. Check up to date prices as a scenic flight is a great way to absorb the scope and distances in the Outback.

Travel Pack. Uluru geology fact sheet

Travel Pack. Uluru visitor guide

Travel Pack. Uluru-and Kata Tjuta maps and safety

Overnight Uluru

This alternative route to Alice Springs can be driven in a 2WD during dry conditions, otherwise use the sealed route to Alice Springs. Remember to check for road conditions before departure from Uluru Kata Tjuta Visitor Centre.

Tourist Pack. Watarrka national parkfact sheet, map

Alice Springs is a popular gateway for exploring the Red Centre, the country’s interior desert region. Its 1872 origin as part of the Overland Telegraph Line (linking Darwin and Adelaide) is preserved in the vintage buildings and equipment at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve.

What to do and see in Alice Springs:

• https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-23.694401,133.881896. War memorial geolocation. For a fantastic first glimpse of Alice, you should wander up to this war memorial from where you can also savour in the city’s beautiful surroundings. This viewpoint is best visited at sunrise or at sunset, so start or finish your day right by heading up here.
• National Road Transport Hall of Fame This museum contains three different departments – Road transport Hall of Fame, Kenworth Museum and Old Ghan Road – that are all committed to provide a nostalgic trip into Australia’s transport history. While the original carriages of the historic Ghan railway are on display, you can also enjoy a traditional morning or afternoon tea inside a narrow gauge locomotive.
• Alice Springs Telegraph Station, and the Trail Station Cafe. Step back into the pioneering age and the birthplace of Alice Springs, by visiting this historical reserve displaying the story of the connection of Australia to the rest of the world. The beautifully restored buildings will inform the telegraph’s history and its huge importance for the town, as well as about the impact of the war years, and the stolen generation as well.
• The Residency. This historic building is one of the town’s most unique heritage places, and erected for government residents back in 1928 already, it even hosted Queen Elizabeth in 1963. Inside, local history and historic events get displayed right next to the toilet or ’royal throne’ that the Queen used during her stay.
• Olive Pink Botanic Garden – Alice Springs, Central Australia. This place was founded in 1956 as a botanical reserve, and it offers visitors over 600 different plants, and among them rare trees and flowers from all over the region. Enjoy a walk through nature’s beauty and rest in the cosy Bean Tree cafe nearby, after discovering the fascinating Aus
• Alice Springs Reptile Centre – Home. This centre houses one of the largest reptile collections in the area, with snakes, lizards and turtles, and they also organize amazing and informative crocodile and python shows, giving a whole new and close glimpse on these peculiar creatures. A visit is suitable for all ages, and it provides fun and education for the whole family.
• http://www.rfdsalicesprings.com.au/ The Royal Flying Doctors Service is a non-profit organization aiming to provide emergency and health services for people living in regions without direct access to hospitals and doctors. One of their main stations is situated in Alice Springs, and it is accessible to the public. Here, at their museum, you can get a glimpse of the flying doctors’ job as well as of their rescue helicopters.
• Alice Springs Desert Park: Home. This park is a great introduction to the plants, desert habitat and animals of the area, and you will definitely need a full day to explore it all. Also, learn more about Aboriginal culture, and do not miss the free staff talks, the birds of prey display or the hourly film. Check out a guided night tour of the park as this is a great time for wildlife viewing
• Northern Territory Government – NT.GOV.AU. Adelaide House was the first medical facility in Central Australia, as it opened back in 1926 with only two nurses and designed by Reverend John Flynn of Royal Flying Doctor Service. Remaining the only medical centre in this area until 1939, the building today displays the local history and the pedal radio Flynn and Traeger used back then.
• Outback Ballooning: Home. Experience Alice Springs from above with Outback Ballooning Tours, and you will just in time for sunrise fly high over the beautiful landscapes surrounding this area. One balloon carries 2-20 passengers so you can join as both a whole group and a small family, and good weather conditions will make your flight a memorable experience

Overnight Alice Springs. Alice Springs Visitor Information is a fund of tips as well as up to date information about road conditions. For a last second inspiration pop into the centre. Alice Springs  Accommodation ranges from resort luxury to basic camping. The choice is yours.

Perhaps outback ballooning into the sunrise with breakfast in the outback. A day to relax and unwind from the outback road journey to Alice. Check out the details on a weekend in Alice Springs for more inspiration and tips on how to get around without driving at all today. Park the vehicle today and let someone else do the driving.

Overnight Alice Springs

Colorful hot air balloons and Australian mountains

A driving day, an outback road journey of over 1,000km. Daly Waters hotel described as an original true blue Aussie pub will be a very welcome sight.

NOTE: Excluded is a stop at Mataranka thermal pool, location https://goo.gl/maps/sAspm1iBJefDs7Au8.  There is also the option of a detour to explore Elsey National Park. Another time with a focus of a circuit loop road trip from Darwin will definitely include detailed information on both attractions.

This sector requires shared driving to ensure that driver fatigue does not occur. Finally you arrive in Katherine.

Katherine Nitmiluk National Park

Nitmiluk Gorge Territory… image 13 stupendous gorges, ancient sandstone that reflects colour, light and shade according to the time of the day, raging waterfalls in the wet season and wildlife at home in the outback. Explore the world-famous park and gorge country on foot, by canoe, boat or helicopter. Nitmiluk Gorge winds along 12km of sheer rock. The height of the Gorge is over 70 metres towering over the Katherine River.

Discover the ancient culture of the Jawoyn people, custodians of the region. Jawoyn people operate Nitmiluk Tour within Nitmiluk National Park and is the exclusive provider for touring the Nitmiluk Gorge. In Jawoyn, Nitmiluk means “place of the cicada dreaming”.

What to do and see in Katherine Nitmiluk National Park click on the link for a detailed description of Katherine’s attractions.

Overnight Katherine

Where to stay: Recommended Cicada Lodge. It has been a long day. How about spoiling yourself with a stay at Cicada Lodge, it is very comfortable and thoroughly welcoming. All guided tours depart from the Cicada Lodge reception.

Other options are: Nitmiluk cabins, permanent tents or the campground. All accommodation facilities are owned and managed by Nitmiluk Tours. For booking accommodation contact directly Nitmiluk Tours, Accommodation

Katherine exploration @melanie.kampfl

A day to immerse yourself in the top end and enjoy your Katherine experience. Perhaps a river cruise or a helicopter flight or simply walks either guided or self-guided experiencing the outback.

Check the Katherine guide for details and safety tips to ensure your Katherine stay is enjoyable.

Overnight Katherine

After a leisurely departure from Katherine you will arrive at Kakadu in time for an afternoon exploring Kakadu. Kakadu is the largest national park, jointly managed by Parks Australia and the Bininj / Mungguy people. Outback exploration does not come much better than Kakadu.

Where is Kakadu National Park

The western boundary is 150km east of Darwin, located in Australia’s tropical north. The Bowlie Visitor Centre, near the township of Jabiru is 250km from Darwin. Kakadu is enormous extending 200km from north to south and over 100km east to west. Coastal estuaries, floodplains, billabongs and lowlands to rock escapements and stone country in the south. Over a third of Australia’s birds call Kakadu home and the park is a reservoir of Australian fish species.

Kakadu park, Australia

Cooinda is in the centre of the park, in the Yellow Water region. There is a general store selling petrol, diesel, groceries and souvenirs. If you have forgotten your insect repellant, sunscreen or need to ensure your water bottles are full this is the time to replenish your supplies. Inform the hotel reception of your plans for the day and check your route maps with the locals. It is likely you will be asked your proposed return time so that the hotel can ensure you are safe and sound. Download any map trails as mobile reception is patchy or non-existent in the park.

Darwin, the capital of tropical Australia, is lush and green. Darwin is the state capital for the Northern Territory. The city had to be virtually rebuilt after being devastated by cyclone Tracy in 1974. Darwin is also the most multicultural city in Australia, boasting over 75 nationalities, a large indigenous population (25 percent) and a diverse range of immigrants from Asia.Where is Darwin located?https://goo.gl/maps/7iRqp2tE6989EE9M7

At the top end of Australia with Indonesia as a close neighbour.

Getting there

Road access to Darwin is the Stuart Highway – The Track – the only road out of town and runs 2,800 km south to Adelaide. Since 2004, Darwin has had a rail link to the great southern cities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. The Ghan tourist passenger train service runs twice a week.

  Overnight Darwin

Art Strauss Airfield, Darwin

You’ve arrived in Darwin.

Check out our city guide to Darwin for accommodation options and what to do and see in Darwin.

TIP: For one way rental options check with rental cars for the cheapest option whether it is Darwin to Adelaide or the reverse Adelaide to Darwin.  Remember to have comprehensive vehicle insurance as well as read our safety tips on travel in the outback.
TIP: Return to Adelaide or elsewhere, there is always the option of a train journey The Ghan beckons.